Tuesday, we were teased with information about this set being mainly Autobot based...

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OK, while we are working on finalizing the convention details, brochure and registration forms, we wanted to start the speculation game:

"For one young Autobot..." is all we have revealed so far. While we tend to guard the convention sets and souvenirs closely, I want to let you know that we are very excited about what we have waiting in the wings!

The set we have planned features a team of select Autobots never before featured in G1 in this way. The timeline we are spotlighting is new, yet very familiar...

Prototype images of a Classic trailer for Optimus Prime have surfaced on the BTS Toy Blog. BTS revealed in November that they have been working on a trailer; but few details are known at this time. We will keep you posted as more information revealed. Click here to see the original pictures.

It appears problems caused by the lead toy recalls have yet to cease: a new federal law taking place as of February 10, 2009 will illegalize the re-selling of children’s toys and clothes unless tested to be lead free. You can read the entire article from KVUE.com by clicking here.

“A new federal law is raising concerns and questions nationwide and here in Austin.

On February 10, 2009 it will be illegal to re-sell any used children's products including toys and clothing. That is according to the U.S. Consumer Protection & Safety Commission who pushed for the new laws after dozens of toys were recalled in 2008 because of lead concerns.

Toys, clothing and other items used by children under 12 will be subjected to lead testing and will have to have labels on them to prove that they have passed inspection.

What is raising the ire of parents and business owners far and wide is what this will mean to clothing, toys and other children products made before February 10, 2009.

Gary Walthall, the owner of Once upon a Child, a resale shop specializing in children's clothing and other items, is afraid that he'll have to close up shop.

Adding to the confusion and frustration is the fact that the U.S. Consumer Products and Safety Commission is not returning calls or e-mails to the countless re-salers and even journalists who have tried in vain to get clarification on what the law means to garage sales and how it will be enforced.”

How will this affect you and the collecting market as a whole? That‘s still unconfirmed, but there is relevant information coming from GovTrack.US. From Sec105, 1, D, ii:

“The term 'retailer' has the meaning given that term in section 3 of the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2052), but does not include an individual whose selling activity is intermittent and does not constitute a trade or business.”

And from Sec201 a, a, 4:

“the efforts of the Commission to reach and educate retailers of second-hand products and informal sellers, such as thrift shops and yard sales, concerning consumer product safety rules and product recalls, especially those relating to durable nursery products, in order to prevent the resale of any products that have been recalled, including the development of educational materials for distribution not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.”

Noha of The-Arker.com has posted some new, in-package images of the Fast-Action-Battler Jolt figure from the upcoming Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen toyline. Jolt is an Autobot who transforms into the new Chevrolet Volt.

The images, which show both the front and back of the packaging, can be seen on The-Arker.com by clicking here.

Seibertron member Arlin has brought to our attention back-package pictures of two ROTF figures. The first is a new character - a biplane, the other is of the boat figure that we've seen before. Seibertron.com will keep you up to date on the latest movie news!

Seibertron.com’s Toy Gallery section continues to grow with the Transformers franchise. Today it has been updated with galleries from Universe deluxe wave four, which you may see by using the following links.

If you’ve yet to decide which version of the Classics Starscream mold you like best, or would just like to see more of it, be sure to also check out the Henkei and original Classics Starscream galleries as well.

Interest in customs has grown wildly, springing up 3rd party makers over the past two years. Their attempts have been to create some of the much desired figures or accessories that fans have been demanding . TF.SG has posted images now of a 6.5" version of Optimus Prime Hearts of Steel, which will be available for fans.

The creator, Griffith76, explains how he designed this figure here. And then check out the painter's blog, by Sabrina, here to learn more details.

Griffith plans to sell these as garage kits, but he has not set a price yet. The figure presently uses around 100 parts, but he looking to combine certain parts to save space in the molding and reduce the assembly required. The mold will be cast in resin and the parts will be cast in color, two schemes. Keeping the cost down for fans is one of the creator's goal. We'll keep you updated when this kit goes on sale.

Seibertron member, Coolpop has found a interesting custom box for Masterpiece collectors, MP Starscream U.S. Edition in a TakaraTomy style box. Coolpop gives us his review:

Custom Made Takara Style Masterpiece MP-3 Package Set

This set is made by a Chinese TF fan and he only produced 50 sets of them (probably all sold out now). The fixed selling price was RMB150, plus all shipping and fees, it came out to be around RMB314 (I used Airmail for international shipping from China to USA), and this is about US$47.50 shipped.

The purpose of this custom package set is to convert US Masterpiece Starscream into Takara style Masterpiece packaging. Unlike another MP Starscream custom package set seen last year on eBay that only comes with outside color box (you put the whole US MP Starscream w/ original package into this custom box), this new set actually comes complete with inner plastic clampshell tray, plastic nose & tail holder/divider, updated graphic/art instruction booklet & character card.

US Masterpiece Starscream & all accessories placed in the inner plastic clampshell tray

Side by side comparisons with origial Takara MP-3 Green Starscream:

Inner tray with toys & accessories

Color instruction booklet & character card (front). It's a pity that the creator decided to use actual toy shot instead of using toy art like the original booklet cover

Color instruction booklet & character card (back)

First two inside pages of instruction booklet

Front of box

Back of box

Top of box

Bottom of box

Side of box (both sides are the same)

Another comparison photo

Final comparison shot

Overall the quality of this custom package set is very good, I am very impressed with the extent of details the creator has paid attention to match with the original MP Starscream box and inserts (reshoot of the toy with correct position, angle, distance, light source, reflection, placement, art, font, color, etc.). I consider myself very fortunate to have the opportunity to purchase this custom box set, and it will surely add that extra specialty to my complete Masterpiece collection.

Later comment:So much for the 50 sets limited run, hahaha. I just found out the Chinese seller I bought from just put out 10 more sets for sale, I guess the creator saw both bigger demand and extra income, and he decided to pump out more.

It can be found on Taobao but only open to Chinese residents. Panli does allow foreign transactions.